Campus Life - MNU Blogs

I sat down to my computer just now, drawing up a blank. Like all the creativity just left my mind. I don’t know what it is about the pressure of a computer and a deadline that pulls all the creative flow out of my mind. Regardless, computers and deadlines are a part of an education. Actually they are a part of life. So I just gotta get my head in this blog game… woo.

I thought I would just share some fun happenings this last month in pictures:

I am writing today to inform everyone how much fun it is working at MNU! On top of classes, school work, and another job, I work on campus in the best place possible: The Registrar’s Office! I was able to get the job mid last semester and started training by putting files away. I worked my way up to where I am at currently. Now, if you know me, you would know that I utterly and completely despise talking on the phone. It scares me. As the newbie, I didn’t have to answer the phone at first, but I knew I would have to eventually. I am proud to say that now I answer the phone all the time without fear. That’s a huge step for me!

We titled this one: Mariah’s First Phone Call and yes I was nervous

The people I work with are just absolutely incredible. They have been a tremendous blessing to me and it really is like a family. We get our work done, but we have fun while we’re at it! Plus there’s food every single day because my boss makes popcorn every night. This was my breakfast this morning and I am not one bit ashamed:

Here are some crazy, fun photos of a day in the life of a Registrar’s office worker:

Making cookie dough in a cup

Front desk awesomeness

I wasn’t there for this, but I wish I was!

We also decorate the office according to whatever holiday it is, so you could say we’ve been quite festive lately. We try to also bring in even more food for the holidays. I don’t have photos from that day, but believe it or not, we celebrated Kansas Day. Sunflower cookies and quizzes to prove how Kansas we truly are.

I’ve been very busy lately, working on campaign materials and strategies for the on-campus ASG Executive Cabinet elections. I am running for Director of Social Life, and there have been many hours and staples put into the process.

I’ve made posters, logos, and promo cards for the campaign, and also done lots of planning for the campaign forum tomorrow evening. Elections are soon, and the entire process has been taxing but extremely fun.

The next (and almost last) thing left in the campaign is the election forum tomorrow evening. The forum is a chance for student to get to know the candidates and put names with faces ahead of the elections on Tuesday, the 24th.

Students will get to walk around the Tipping Point in Land Gym, and visit the booths of candidates running for various positions, and it should be an exciting time for both the students and the candidates.

I used to think that my life had to be balanced. That I had to have a set schedule. That I had to have everything together.

Being in college has forced me to realize that I don’t have to have a balanced life, and certainly that it’s nearly impossible to have one.

If I told you my priorities, showed you my calendar, and then you saw how my days actually played out, you would be very confused. But that’s okay, because it used to confuse me too.

I used to think because I couldn’t “get my life together” that I was a failure. I thought I was doing everything wrong and I didn’t know how to suddenly start doing everything right.

My top priorities in life include spending quality time with Jesus, doing my schoolwork, and living a healthy lifestyle. However, those priorities don’t always make it into every day of my life. It stinks to say that, but it’s true.

There are days when I don’t open my Bible. There are days when I don’t open my backpack. There are days when I don’t workout.

…and I think that’s okay.

Life isn’t about checking things off of a to-do list or having enough time to do everything or beating yourself up when your day didn’t go as planned.

Life is about recognizing what’s important to you and finding purpose in everything you do.

Life is about waking up every morning and handing your day to God.

Here’s the prayer I pray every morning before I even get out of bed or check my phone:

“Lord,

I give my day to You… do whatever You want with it.

Give me opportunities to glorify You. Create divine appointments.

Give me strength and energy to get through this day.

I can’t do this alone.”

I’m not saying it’s bad to make plans and have to-do lists. I have both of those, and they help me immensely. I’m simply saying that when we hand our days over to God and live to glorify Him, we don’t need to worry about having a “balanced” life. God works through the chaos, stress, anxiety, and fear. He’s glorified in all of it when we let Him take the wheel.

God’s plan for your day may not be the same as your plan for your day.

So just to let you guys know, I have been looking for a job for a while now and I finally go a got found a job that was interested in me enough to have me come in for an interview. The place I’m interviewing at is Heritage Christian Academy, it’s on 159th and Black Bob. I know this is going to sound kinda bad but it’s like MNU, if MNU was high school or middle school.

This is me walking into Heritage Christian… I can’t describe to you how nervous I was, but I made sure that at least I wasn’t going to look bad for this interview and you already know my flat top game was on point.

Heritage Christian was looking for an assistant track coach and I saw the job posting on the job board on the MNU portal.

You guys should really use this thing. If you need a job just go to your portal and its under the undergraduate tab. There are plenty of jobs on their but you gotta be quick and call before the job are filled. They have everything from babysitting to being a receptionist.

I met with the Athletic Director, Tammi Wolt. She actually has 3 kids who also go to Heritage Christian. Two of them actually run track. I ran track in high school. I ran the 400 and the 800, most of the time I ran both events in the same track meet. I also long jumped, ran 4×1 relay, and 4×4 relay.

This is me running the 4×4 as you can see I’m moving at a near light speed pace, thats why the camera is having a tough time taking a good picture.

I loved running track in high school it’s too bad that MNU didn’t have a program when I came in. I sometimes wonder how good I could have been if I pursued a collegiate track career but that is another dream for another lifetime.

I can remember all the meets, the hard work and the painful breaths after victories. As you can see I have some top flight emotional support helping me out here.

Anyway I thought my interview with Tammi went well and she is a big supporter of MNU, I think that really helped me out (BONUS POINTS!!!) Heritage Christian looks like a great place for me to lay down roots as I start to venture into the world. The kids at the school are nice, and you can see really feel that spirit of God flows through that place. It would be a wonder to work there, to help the kids get better on track and for kids and Heritage Christian help me get better on spiritual walk with Christ.

So I got the job and it’s time to celebrate, looks like I’ll be starting Monday. I’m so excited for this new opportunity.

SO I GOT THE JOB!!!! I’M TOO PUMPED RIGHT NOW!!! CAN’T WAIT TO GET TO WORK!!! I’m excited if I can’t tell. They didn’t even let me leave the building, I met the Dean of student life we talked for a little bit and now I can’t wait to meet the head coach and get right down to business. I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it. I don’t know the rest of the song goes but you get the idea. WOOOOOOOO!!!!!

In February, there’s a lot going on at MNU, so here’s what you can be excited for:
The RA Selection Process

Every spring, the interview process to select new RAs begins. Resident Assistants are the liaison between the Residential Life staff, and the residents of the on-campus dorms, so you can imagine a rigorous interview process. RAs are typically the go-to person for any issue with your room, any type of question, or, in some cases, for advice and guidance. These are the people you spend a lot of your time with, and are usually the smiling face welcoming you to your new home for a year.

ASG Exec Elections and Appointments

Associated Student Government begins the election process for the executive board in February as well. This results in a flurry of petitions going around campus, as well as campaign posters and new creative campaigning strategies each year. The members of the newly elected board will be the student-chosen group of people to lead events, activities, and support for all traditional undergraduate students of MNU. New incoming and returning students can look forward to a Welcome Week full of events to get the year kicked off in the fall.

MNU SERVEteams Audition and Interviews

Each summer, groups of students from MNU go out into the MNU Community/region to Nazarene district assemblies. They are not only a publicity tool for our university, but a way for the university to minister in places it normally wouldn’t be able to. Different teams include a sponsor team, a worship team and a vocal team.

Put all three of the above opportunities with tests ramping up, performances, class time, jobs, and sports, and you get a lot of very busy college students.

Busy doesn’t necessarily have to mean stressed, though, and the month is one of the funnest.

With so many things going on, and each of us committing time and energy to so much, I’d like to leave you all with a bible verse:

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

KT and I whipped this video up this weekend! We were trying so hard not to laugh the whole time our faces look kinda scary during it but we had a blast making it! These are some things you need to know about MNU! Enjoy as much as we did!

The past few days, my friend Ashton has had bronchitis, so she’s been taking lots of Nyquil. In case you were wondering, Nyquil doesn’t set well with Ashton. Although it makes her feel better, she often says strange things and doesn’t remember what happened the next morning. Here’s a few tweets and text messages to illustrate the craziness that has been happening on the first floor of Stockton Courtside since this sickness invaded.

So, as you can see, it’s been a fun and interesting few days with Ashton in a permanent Nyquil-induced mood. But, in all seriousness, Ashton is an amazing friend that I know will be around forever. Here’s some proof that she’s a supportive, encouraging friend beyond compare.

You all should get to know her if you already don’t.

The friends I’ve met at college have blessed me in SO MANY WAYS. Wow. God is good.

Last summer, I was on summer staff at Youthfront Camp West, which is a camp in Edgerton for elementary and middle school aged students. Being on summer staff means being part of a community made up of the other summer staffers, but also the full time staff and weekly volunteers. Being a part of that community and also the community at MNU has taught me a lot. Specifically, it’s taught me the value of community and how to live life more intentionally and fully. There are many important things that I learned about community last semester that has helped me be a more contributing member of the community at MNU.

Community is caring.

A community laughs together, cries together, and cares about each other. I don’t personally know every student at MNU, but I care about everyone as if I did. I can honestly say I feel comfortable striking up a conversation with every person that I pass on campus or sit by in class… and that doesn’t happen everywhere. I even care about all of my professors and the faculty at MNU. Living in a community with a body of believers has given me a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. It’s really beautiful.

Community is not easy.

Don’t get me wrong… community is fun and great, but it’s not always an easy thing to be a part of. Community reminds me of family. You don’t get to choose your family, much like you don’t get to choose everyone who is a part of the same community as you, but you learn to love them simply because you do life with them. There are times when I get annoyed or frustrated with people. There are certain people that I don’t imagine myself being best friends with (which I’ve realized is completely fine, because who could handle over a thousand best friends anyway?). Although there are times when it’s hard, it is always worth it. I sincerely love every single person in the MNU community and I would go to great lengths to help anyone in any way I can. That’s what family does for each other… and at the end of the day, all I can do is thank God for the community He’s led me to be a part of.

Community is an opportunity for growth.

I have grown so much this summer and this past semester because of the communities I’ve been a part of. These experiences have taught me how to love people more boldly and intentionally. One thing I love about MNU is that we are encouraged to live our lives to bring glory to God, worshipping Him at all times. Being surrounded by people who are yearning to know God on a deeper level daily is inspiring. I will never forget the moments of corporate worship at Kingdom Come and the fun events that ASG hosts. All of those things we do together as a community are opportunities for growth in many ways.

Community is essential.

I firmly believe that everyone should experience the power of community at some point in their lives, whether it’s with co-workers, classmates, or even a group of friends that does life together. It can teach us valuable things about loving people and open our eyes to how to do that genuinely and intentionally.

There is no other community I would rather be a part of than MNU. It’s been absolutely incredible and I can’t wait for the years to come. I truly love it so much!